Prohibition of Gold and Silver Utensils

Islam has prohibited the use of gold and silver utensils, and of pure silk spreads in the Muslim house. The Prophet (peace be on him) warned that anyone who deviates from this path may incur severe punishment in the Hereafter. On the authority of Umm Salmah, Muslim reported in his Sahih the Prophet’s saying, “Whoever eats or drinks from gold or silver utensils is indeed filing his stomach with the fire of hell.” (Reported by Muslim.)

Al-Bukhari reported on the authority of al-Hudhaifah that “The Messenger of Allah (peace be on him) forbade us to drink or eat from gold or silver dishes or to wear silken garments or to sit on silken cloth. He said, ‘They are for them (the unbelievers) in this world and for us in the Hereafter.’ (Reported by al-Bukhari.) Moreover, what is prohibited for practical use is also forbidden to be given as a gift or used as an ornament.

These prohibitions concerning utensils, spreads, and similar articles apply to men and women alike, for the purpose of this legislation is to rid the house of excessively luxurious items. Ibn Qudamah expresses this idea in clear terms as follows:

Men and women are equal in this regard because of the generality of the hadith, and because the reason for this prohibition is the show of extravagance and pride on the one hand and the injury to the feelings of the poor on the other. The wearing of gold and silk has been permitted to women so that they may beautify themselves for their husbands; this is an exemption which does not extend to other uses. If it is said, ‘If the reason you have stated is correct, then utensils made of rubies and other precious materials would also have been prohibited because they are more expensive (than gold and silver)’ to this we reply, ‘The poor are not familiar with such things, and their feelings will not be injured even if they see the rich using them.’ Moreover, the rarity of such things in itself makes their use prohibitive, and hence the need for prohibiting them on the basis of extravagance becomes superfluous. (Al-Mughni, vol. 8, p. 323.)

Earlier we mentioned the economic reasons for prohibiting the use of gold ornaments for men. In the present case this reason is even weightier and more obvious. Gold and silver are universal monetary standards which facilitate the establishing of prices and the carrying out of transactions between nations, thus promoting trade and commerce. It is Allah’s favor that He guided people to use them as a means of exchange. The proper economic usage of gold and silver, then, is their free circulation; they are not to be hoarded in houses as coins or, worse yet, to be tied up in household articles and ornamental objects.

Imam al-Ghazzali has beautifully enunciated this point in the chapter entitled “Al-Shukr” (Thankfulness) in his book, Ihya al’Ulum al-Din, in the following manner:

Anyone who melts down gold and silver coins to make vases and containers is ungrateful for Allah’s bounty and is worse than the one who hoards them. It is like using the mayor of a city for sweeping its streets or for sewing garments, or to do jobs which are normally carried out by the lowliest of people. To imprison him would be less insulting. Now, materials such as porcelain, iron, lead, and copper can replace gold and silver for making vases and containers, but they cannot replace them as money or as standards of exchange. If a person cannot grasp this point (through his own reasoning and knowledge), we would tell him that the spokesman of Allah has explained it: ‘Whoever eats or drinks from gold or silver utensils is indeed filling his stomach with the fire of hell.’ (lhya al-‘Ulum al-Din. see vol. 4, Thanksgiving and Praise.)

Let no one suppose that this prohibition constitutes a severe restriction on the Muslim in his own home, for among wholesome and permissible things there is a great variety from which to choose What beautiful vases, containers, and pots have been made of glass; porcelain, copper, and many other materials! Likewise, bedspreads, cushions, and tablecloths of great beauty are fabricated from cotton, linen, and various other materials.

Permissibility of drinking water from clean Vessels of all types except Gold and Silver ones

Anas bin Malik (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Once the time for As-Salat (the prayer) approached. Those whose houses were near, went to their houses to perform Wudu’ while some of the people remained with Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam). A stone (containing some water) bowl was brought for him. It was too small for him to spread his hand over it. He performed his Wudu’ and it (the water) sufficed for all the others also. Anas was asked: “How many of you were present there?” He said: “Eighty or more.”  [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

 

Another narration in Muslim is: The Prophet (sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) called for a vessel containing water. A wide shallow vessel with a little water in it was brought for him. He put his fingers in it. Anas says: “I kept looking at the water pouring from between his fingers. I estimated that the number of people who made their Wudu’ with it was from seventy to eighty.”

Commentary: This Hadith mentions a miracle of Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) and also provides for the use of a stoneware.

 

`Abdullah bin Zaid (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) visited us and we brought water for him in a brass vessel for his ablution and he performed ablution.  [Al-Bukhari].

Commentary: This Hadith tells us that brassware can be used for performing ablution as well as for other purposes.

 

Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) visited the house of a man of the Ansar with one of his Companions and said to him, “If you have some water in the water-skin left over from last night, give it to us for drinking; otherwise, we shall drink from some stream directly.”  [Al-Bukhari].

Commentary: With reference to this Hadith, Imam An-Nawawi says that apart from drinking water from a vessel, one can also drink at a cistern or stream.

 

Hudhaifah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) prohibited us from wearing brocade or silk and drinking out of gold or silver vessels and said, “These are meant for them (disbelievers) in this world and for you in the Hereafter.”  [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Commentary: Silk clothes are forbidden to men but allowed to women. Yet, both sexes are forbidden to use utensils made of silver and gold. However, the orthodox `Ulama’ say that women can use ornaments of silver and gold and that, it is advisable not to use them because many vices stem from their use and display.

 

Umm Salamah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) said, “He who drinks from the vessel of silver kindles the Fire (of Hell) in his belly.”  [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

A narration in Muslim is: Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) said, “Surely, he who eats or drinks in gold and silver vessels fills his belly with Hell-fire.”

Commentary: To use utensils of silver and gold involves extravagance. Moreover, it is a sign of pride and ostentatious lifestyle. Allah detests them both. On this count they are major sins, involving the danger of severe chastisement in Hell-fire.